Reservoirs in Ter-Llobregat system exceed 30% of capacity after recent rains

The reservoirs of the Ter-Llobregat system exceeded 30% of their capacity on Sunday and continue to receive water from the rivers flowing into them. In total, the reservoirs now hold about 185 hm3.

The Ter-Llobregat system serves 6 million people, mostly from the Barcelona metropolitan area, but also from the Girona region. 

The La Baells reservoir is up to 43%, while the emblematic Sau reservoir, which has become a symbol of the drought in Catalonia, is up to 26%.

In addition, water levels in internal reservoirs in Catalonia are close to 29% of capacity, with all reservoirs receiving water thanks to the recent rains. This level has not been recorded since July 2023. 

Drought emergency lifted

Over 200 municipalities, including Barcelona, entered emergency phase 1 in February, after more than three and a half years of drought. But this spring's rains started to reverse the situation.

The Catalan government lifted the drought emergency measures on May 7 when the reservoirs in the Ter-Llobregat area were at 24.8% of their capacity.

The emergency scheme had been lowered to 'exceptionality'. With the return of the state of exceptionality, the water limit per person per day will be raised to 230 liters and not 200 as it was in the emergency phase.

Agricultural irrigation will have to be reduced by 40% and not by 80% as is the case with emergency restrictions, water for industrial use must be reduced by 15% instead of 25%, and for livestock uses by 30% rather than 50% in the emergency stage.

However, Catalonia continues to experience the worst drought in its history, which has lasted for over three years.

To learn more about the drought, listen to this episode of our podcast Filling the Sink.